A History Undiscovered

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By Hope Yu

During 1871, Korea (Corea) was, unbeknownst to them, on the brink of cultural change unimaginable at the time. Japan and China had previously succumbed to Western influence due to efforts by the likes of U.S. Commodore Perry. However, after years of peace in the Joseon Dynasty, the Empire of Korea was entirely reclusive and was known as the Hermit Kingdom; the only prominent Asiatic power without Western influence. Few missionaries had illegally entered the empire and were generally harassed.

There was one seemingly minute conflict between the United States and Korea during which a US general, by the name General Sherman, attempted to begin negotiations for a trade treaty. While it began with a semblance of peace, the Koreans refused and eventually ordered the Americans to leave or be killed. Due to ill positioning of their warships, the Americans were unable to do so and engaged the Koreans. The Koreans burned and massacred them, saving the warship and refitting it as their first modern naval defense; considering the event a Korean success. The United States heard reports of this loss years later in 1866 and investigated. They were met with a wall of imperial allegiance and no answers, leading to the assumption that force was necessary to permeate the impenetrable fortress of the Hermit Kingdom.

In 1871, the United States arranged 5 ships, known as the Asiatic Squadron, to land near the mouth of the Han River. They were struck by the beauty of the country; sending letters to loved ones containing positive descriptions of the landscape. A letter was sent to the imperial palace stating the reason for their presence and the wish to interact with officials of Korea. They had a few interactions with the locals, to whom they gave the likes of glass bottles, newspapers, and other metal trinkets. Eventually, a group of men in elaborate dress boarded the ship, Americans assuming that these were the officials they had requested. However, after some interrogation, it was concluded that the Koreans had done the same as the Japanese years before. These officials were of lesser rank and held no information. After requesting for true government officials, the Americans stated that they would be surveying the land to find a safe place to anchor their ships. 

The following day, the Americans decided to take a portion of their troops on an expedition. Though they were going to be passing the main Korean forts, the Commander thought that the Koreans would assume they were just going to be surveying the land; preventing attack. He was incorrect. As they continued down the river, the Americans were presented with a view of the Korean camp filled with soldiers and battle artillery. The Koreans fire the first shot, Americans respond with their own, inciting much damage and causing the Koreans to flee. The Americans demand an apology, but receive none. Koreans citing that it was not a personal attack. Disappointed, the Americans attacked again, this time with an additional land assault. The Koreans did little damage and the Americans damaged them for a second time. 

As night came the Koreans seemed to attempt a sort of scare tactic as, “hundreds of Korean troops, ghostlike in the summer darkness, approached the camps, howling, beating drums, and firing wildly,” (1). As the next day came, the Americans had to change their attack to focus on the main fortress, the Citadel. The Koreans had the Tiger Hunters standing guard, providing an elite force to combat the Americans; who had the upper hand with their ballistic weapons and small armada. However, the Americans prevailed, effectively killing the majority of the Korean forces. They celebrated, took photographs, and were celebrated back at their camp, thinking they had proven their superiority to the Koreans. They were wrong. The Koreans did not care about some hundred troops dead, they cared that the Americans had gotten nowhere close to the capitol and more importantly, their king, and considered it a victory. Three weeks later the Americans left and the Koreans celebrated their success. Their rejoicing was due to the Americans inability to establish any sort of long standing connections with the Korean government.

After reading this, you may find yourself asking, “why is this relevant? Why does this matter to YouthKAN or Asian Americans?” I urge you not to focus on the specific incidents that occured as it will seem identical to any other skirmish in history. Instead, direct your attention to the spirit of the Koreans.  

There are multiple levels to this event. This encounter signifies more than Korea’s first encounter with Western powers, this was the first time Korea had opened up to anyone. In a Western context, Korea lost the battle and the US succeeded. However, consider the battles fought. While there was the physical battle that resulted in many Korean casualties, Korea succeeded in pushing the Americans away. Nevertheless, the warship that the Koreans had captured, actually shows that the US and Western powers had managed to influence the Koreans' culture. This story is about more than the loser and the winner, it is about the spirit of the Koreans in the face of Western hegemony; they lost the battle but they knew the moment the American’s left, they had won. 

We now know that Korea had not seen the last of the West and foreign imperialism. There was Japanese occupation, the Korean War, and many other forms of westernization. This event was more than just an unknown battle, it was a turning point for the Korean peoples; a catalyst of Western influence. Despite  such influence, the Koreans displayed strength and resilience when faced with advanced weaponry and experienced soldiers. This was not the only time that these attributes could be applied. Some examples are the atrocities faced during the annexation of Korea by Japan and war crimes that occurred during the Korean War. These events led to a culture of silent perseverance; the mental strength to overcome. In this modern day and era, this has led to mental health issues stemming from the suppression of emotions. 

Thank you for reading!

  1. "Our Little War with the Heathen". 1 June 2020, www.americanheritage.com/our-little-war-heathen.

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